Kung Fu Zombie

This is a pretty entertaining movie, but not nearly the mindwarp that Chong's Kung Fu From Beyond the Grave is. This movie does have its moments, but the plot is not as interesting as it could be. Still, the villain is without a doubt the most butt-whuppinest zombie I have ever seen, and that includes the giant Mombie from Braindead (Dead-Alive). It's particularly fun the way he's always introduced with ripped-off James Bond music. Also the final fight is a doozie once the priest gets into the action. Worth a watch for Fu/Horror fans, but definitely not one to use an introduction to the genre.

Kung Fu and zombies: two of my favourite things in one film. Surely worth a watch.

Well, only if you're a horror/comedy/kung fu completist.

Just one of countless supernatural martial arts movies to follow in the wake of Sammo Hung's Encounters of the Spooky Kind, Kung Fu Zombie delivers the usual slapstick comedy, spooky silliness and frantic chop socky one expects from the genre, but does little to distinguish itself from the competition.

The film opens as a criminal and his henchmen lay a trap for martial artist Pang (Billy Chong), who foiled the gang's attempt to rob a bank, sending them to prison for five years. With the help of a priest's powerful magic, the bandits plan to kill Pang by luring him into a trap lined with knives. Instead, the leader finds himself falling into the pit, where he is impaled on the blades. A supernatural lightning bolt strikes the dead criminal's body, freeing his spirit to seek out a new body with help from the priest. Meanwhile, a killer from an outlaw clan also seeks to do Pang and his family harm.

After an hour of unexceptional ghoulish comedy and a few reasonable fights, the film does admittedly end on a high with an entertaining showdown between Pang and the killer, now a vampire. With super-fast moves and flaming fists and feet, the bloodsucker makes for a very cool adversary. It's just a shame that the rest of the film wasn't as much fun.

Billy Chong has to fight villains, zombies, ghosts and a vampire, who all knows the art of kung fu. All this because some low-life bad guy and a part-time magician wants him out of the way.

As usual there is loads of fighting, slapstick comedy, and we also get some jumping zombies, stupid ghosts and a vampire who´s running around chopping heads. Funny and entertaining, but also quite exhausting. Not as good as the Mr. Vampires series though. Leave your brain in a bucket and enjoy.

Few movies can give fans of genre crossovers their money's worth like this one does. It's a martial arts / horror / comedy with a heavy accent on comedy. Long on slapstick and long on nonsense as well, it has a hilariously over the top, contrived plot and engagingly goofy performances from all concerned. Literally *everything* about "Kung Fu Zombie" is unsubtle, and it's constantly throwing things at you, barely giving you a chance to breathe. As far as the horror content goes, it offers you body hopping, the living dead, the undead (i.e. a vampire), and a ticked-off ghost.

The basic story has an inept master villain working mightily to defeat our strapping young hero, Pang Fong (Billy Chong). This bad guy is also often stymied in his attempts to find a new body (don't ask, just watch), and is "assisted" by a flamboyant wizard who can never seem to get his spells done correctly.

Clothes come off, items are thrown, tacky gore and makeup abound, and the music is positively dopey. "Kung Fu Zombie" does wear a little thin at times, but the acting is wonderfully hammy and there are some inspired gags. (Like our hero's father / master feigning death to throw him off guard.) It's likewise a hoot to see our villain have such a spectacular lack of success until late in the movie.

Directed with flair by Shan Hua, this flick delivers one lightning-fast fight scene after another. This viewer would recommend it to anybody who desires to put their brain in neutral for a while and investigate the more irreverent side of kung fu cinema.

The original Hong Kong version runs about 20 minutes longer, and is in a different aspect ratio, to boot. This review applies to the 79 minute long dubbed North American release (with hysterically inefficient dubbing, the kind that is just right for this sort of entertainment).

Seven out of 10.

What a masterpiece! I still can't believe what I've seen. This is a classic of eastern cinematography. It belongs in every well sorted movie-collection. The director, the actors, the scenery and the plot are unique. I want to mention especially Billy Chong as Pang. His performance is so outstanding, it's really a thrill watching his acting. And director Hua I-Jung did a hell of a job. He's a brilliant director. Forget John Woo! Forget Tsui Hark! This one is ultimate!